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Sen. John Thune recognized for leadership in passage of STB Reauthorization Act of 2015

Missouri River Energy Services is pleased to recognize Sen. John Thune (R-SD) for leading the effort to get the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (S. 808) passed by the Senate on June 18 by unanimous consent.

The bill was introduced in March by Sen. Thune, chairman of the Commerce Committee, along with Ranking Member Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

S. 808 would expand the membership of the STB to five members from its current three-person structure and provide needed improvements in federal oversight of freight railroads.

“Sen. Thune has worked hard on getting a balanced bill that provides greater protection for rail shippers including electric utilities that ship coal to generate electricity for their customers while at the same time recognizing we need railroads to be financially healthy as they invest in their systems to continue to provide service,” said MRES Chief Executive Officer Tom Heller.

MRES sincerely thanks Sen. Thune for his continued efforts to pass needed legislation for reauthorization of the STB and for his ongoing concern for captive shippers.